How are taxiway edge lights arranged?
The layout rules behind every blue taxiway edge light — uniform spacing of no more than 60 m on straight sections, closer through curves, tighter again on a runway turn pad, and set at the pavement edge or no more than 3 m outside it.
Taxiway edge lights only outline the taxiway if they are laid out consistently. Uniform spacing lets a pilot read the pavement edge as one continuous line; closer spacing through a turn stops that line breaking up where the geometry changes. ICAO Annex 14, Volume I sets different spacing for straight sections, curves, and special surfaces such as holding bays, aprons and runway turn pads, and says how close to the pavement edge the fixtures should sit.
1Straight sections and curves
On a straight section of taxiway — and on a runway forming part of a standard taxi-route — edge lights are spaced at uniform longitudinal intervals of not more than 60 m. Through a curve, spacing is reduced to less than 60 m so that a clear indication of the curve is provided. Annex 14 does not set a single curve figure; the tighter the radius, the closer the lights. Guidance on curve spacing sits in ICAO Doc 9157 (Aerodrome Design Manual), Part 4.
2Special surfaces and lateral position
Holding bays, de-icing/anti-icing facilities and aprons follow the same 60 m limit. A runway turn pad is tighter, at 30 m or less, because aircraft make a sharper, slower turn there. Laterally, lights are located as near as practicable to the edge of the taxiway, or outside it at a distance of not more than 3 m.
| Location | Arrangement |
|---|---|
| Straight section (incl. runway on a standard taxi-route) | Uniform intervals, ≤60 m |
| Curve | <60 m, so the curve is clearly indicated |
| Holding bay, de-icing/anti-icing facility, apron | Uniform intervals, ≤60 m |
| Runway turn pad | Uniform intervals, ≤30 m |
| Lateral position | As near as practicable to the taxiway edge, or outside it by ≤3 m |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What governs the spacing of taxiway edge lights?
ICAO Annex 14 Volume I sets the spacing: uniform intervals of not more than 60 m on straight sections, closer than 60 m on curves, and not more than 30 m on a runway turn pad.
Q2How far apart are taxiway edge lights on a straight section?
Not more than 60 m, at uniform longitudinal intervals. The same 60 m limit applies to a runway forming part of a standard taxi-route and to holding bays, de-icing/anti-icing facilities and aprons.
Q3How does edge-light spacing change on a curve?
Spacing is reduced to less than 60 m so that a clear indication of the curve is provided. Annex 14 does not fix a single figure; the tighter the curve, the closer the lights, with guidance in ICAO Doc 9157 Part 4.
Q4Where are taxiway edge lights placed relative to the pavement edge?
As near as practicable to the edge of the taxiway, or outside the edge at a distance of not more than 3 m.
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